A million under-10s face ‘Dickensian’ Christmas

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Action for Children has warned the UK risks “Dickensian” levels of poverty, as new analysis of official government data shows a million children under the age of 10 face the prospect of an impoverished Christmas.

The analysis showed a million under-10s from low-income families are at risk of lacking basics like warm clothing and fresh food over the Christmas period.

A survey conducted by the charity also revealed nearly half (46%) of parents have been cutting back on Christmas essentials, while a quarter (25%) are forced to borrow money to afford them.

Action for Children warns austerity and ongoing problems with the introduction of Universal Credit could soon see the country facing windespread poverty.

The charity has seen a 30% rise in families seeking financial advice from its frontline services over the last three years. It plans to run unofficial foodbanks again over the Christmas period.

Parents to four under-10s, Paul and Donna Maund from Flordon, near Norwich, having been finding it increasingly difficult to cover monthly bills and are cutting back on Christmas this year.

Paul works full-time at a sandwich bar in Norwich, yet the family relies on benefits to pay for the weekly food shop and nappies for their one-year-old – as well as to top up their rent.

Donna said: “We’re having to use a Christmas tree given to us last year by friends, as well as donated ceiling decorations. It won’t be long before we’ll have to start using foodbanks as I’ve noticed prices going up and up.

“By finding the bargains at discount supermarkets, I’ve worked hard to get my weekly food bill for the whole family down to £4.

“But the only way we can afford Christmas dinner and all the treats for the kids this year is by going to my parents. I’ve been trying to save and find one present a week over the past few months, but it’s been hard.

“Finding the money for our oil heating is the worst. I always have to borrow the money from my Dad and then pay him back every week. I’ve only just paid for one refill and it looks like at this rate I’m going to run out again just before Christmas.”

Action for Children chief executive Julie Bentley said: “Our youngest children should be waking up in a warm bed after a visit from Santa on Christmas morning, but the shocking truth is that in 2018 many will be cold and hungry in the fifth richest country of the world.

“No parent should be forced to face the appalling choice between ‘eating or heating’ at Christmas but this is the reality for far too many in the UK today.

“While the government tells us austerity is at an end, every day at Action for Children, we see first-hand the impossible choices that families living in practically Dickensian levels of poverty have to make.

“We’re helping thousands of families keep their heads above water through budgeting, providing a meal or making sure they get help from foodbanks.

“That’s why we’re asking the public to become ‘Secret Santas’ for a vulnerable child – whether you can manage £10 or £50, it means we can support the most vulnerable children in our society, not just at Christmas but every day.”

Action for Children is calling on the Chancellor to end the freeze on children’s benefits, so that rising prices in the shops do not tip more families into poverty.

Become a Secret Santa to support vulnerable children by texting CHILD to 70607 to donate £10 or by visiting iamsanta.org.uk